Lori Pickens Photography

Lori Pickens Photography Lori Pickens is an on-location and studio photographer, specializing in families, newborn, seniors

Lori Pickens is an on-location and studio photographer, specializing in maternity, birth, newborn, baby, children, teens, couples, weddings and family photography. www.loripickens.com

Email: photography{at}loripickens.com to book your session.

Being camera-shy doesn’t mean you can’t have senior photos you love.Most seniors don’t arrive knowing exactly how to pos...
09/12/2026

Being camera-shy doesn’t mean you can’t have senior photos you love.

Most seniors don’t arrive knowing exactly how to pose, what to do with their hands, or where to look. That’s completely normal, and it isn’t something you need to practice before your session.

I’ll guide you through natural movements and simple poses that help you relax in front of the camera. We can also choose a Parkersburg-area setting that matches your personality, from an urban backdrop to a quiet outdoor location.

Your senior session should feel like spending time being yourself, not performing for the camera.

Save this if feeling awkward has been holding you back from planning your senior photos.

09/12/2026

A sitter session should never feel rushed.

This milestone is usually photographed once your baby can sit independently but before the first birthday. It is such a sweet stage filled with bright eyes, tiny toes, growing confidence, and so much personality.

Babies may need time to settle in, explore the space, or take a quick break. Following their pace helps the session stay comfortable while creating natural expressions that parents will always recognize as their little one.

If your baby is getting close to sitting on their own, save this as your reminder to document this fleeting stage in my Parkersburg studio. 🤍

09/12/2026

If your senior isn’t dreaming about a big, elaborate photo session, that doesn’t mean their senior pictures have to feel ordinary.

Sometimes a quiet outdoor spot, an outfit they already feel comfortable in, and a little room to just settle in is exactly what they need.

Not every senior wants downtown streets, multiple statement outfits, or something highly styled. Some feel much more like themselves surrounded by greenery, sitting somewhere unexpected, laughing between photos, and letting the session unfold naturally.

And that’s worth paying attention to when you start planning.

Instead of asking only, “Where should we take senior pictures?” try asking your senior, “What kind of place would actually feel like you?”

That answer can tell you so much more.

The goal isn’t to create a senior session that looks like everyone else’s. It’s to photograph who they are in this season before life starts changing again.

If senior pictures are coming up for your family, follow along. I’ll be sharing plenty of senior photo ideas and session inspiration to help you start planning. 🤍

Lori Pickens Photography | Parkersburg, WV Senior Photographer

09/11/2026

The newborn stage is measured in days, not months.

The curled-up poses, sleepy expressions, tiny fingers, and soft newborn features begin changing almost immediately. In the middle of adjusting to life with a new baby, it can be difficult to notice just how quickly it is all passing.

A newborn session preserves those details in a calm, timeless way. Simple colors and carefully chosen textures keep the focus on your baby, creating portraits that will still feel beautiful many years from now.

If you’re expecting a baby in Parkersburg or the Mid-Ohio Valley, save this reminder to plan your newborn session before those first days arrive. 🤍

A shorter session can still capture plenty of personality.Mini sessions are a great fit for young children because they ...
09/11/2026

A shorter session can still capture plenty of personality.

Mini sessions are a great fit for young children because they keep the experience simple, focused, and fun. There’s less time for little ones to lose interest, but still enough time to capture a variety of natural expressions.

They’re also helpful for families navigating school, work, and activity schedules. You can update your child’s portraits without turning it into an all-day event.

The goal isn’t to rush through the experience. It’s to create a comfortable setting where your child can play, explore, and be themselves.

Save this if a simple Parkersburg mini session sounds right for your family.

Your family doesn’t need a calmer schedule before you take the photos.Once children reach the middle school and high sch...
09/10/2026

Your family doesn’t need a calmer schedule before you take the photos.

Once children reach the middle school and high school years, the calendar often gets fuller. Classes, sports, activities, work, and changing routines can make it difficult to find a day when everyone is available.

That’s exactly why making time for family portraits matters. These years move quickly, and your children are becoming more independent with every season.

Your session doesn’t have to feel formal or forced. I’ll guide your family through a relaxed experience that leaves room for real smiles, natural connection, and everyone’s personality.

If gathering your family for photos has been sitting on your list, save this as your reminder.

09/10/2026

The best smiles usually happen when we stop asking for them.

Children photograph beautifully when they are given room to move, play, and respond naturally. A simple prompt or a small prop can create expressions that feel far more genuine than holding one perfect pose.

That is why kids’ sessions in my Parkersburg studio are gently guided but never overly structured. The goal is to create polished portraits that still look and feel like your child.

If you want photos filled with real personality instead of forced smiles, you’re in the right place. Save this for your child’s next portrait session. 🌼

Your senior outfits should feel like you, not like a costume.A simple approach is to bring two looks: one relaxed outfit...
09/09/2026

Your senior outfits should feel like you, not like a costume.

A simple approach is to bring two looks: one relaxed outfit you would wear on a normal day and one slightly more elevated option. This creates variety without turning your session into a stressful fashion project.

Choose pieces that fit comfortably, photograph well from every angle, and let you move naturally. Solid colors, subtle patterns, and a few meaningful accessories can help your personality stand out without distracting from your face.

We can also match each outfit with a Parkersburg-area location that complements its color and style, giving your final senior gallery a polished but personal feel.

Save this while planning your senior session outfits.

09/09/2026

A proposal lasts seconds, but the feeling deserves to be remembered forever.

This sunset proposal along the Marietta waterfront held everything that makes the moment so special: the surprise, the yes, and that first embrace after realizing a new chapter has officially begun.

Capturing a proposal takes thoughtful planning. The timing, light, location, and camera angle all matter, but the moment itself should still feel natural and completely yours.

If you’re planning to propose around Marietta, Parkersburg, or the Mid-Ohio Valley, save this as inspiration for a simple and meaningful way to begin forever. 🤍

09/08/2026

When you bring little girls into a family session, the energy behind the lens is instantly filled with quiet secrets, shared giggles, and a very specific kind of effortless magic. Instead of trying to force them into rigid, old-school poses that match a checklist, the goal is always to let their real connection guide the evening.

When you don't overcomplicate the logistics, you walk away with a stunning, high-quality gallery that perfectly documents the exact root system of a lifelong friendship.

If this relaxed, storytelling approach to your family's memories is exactly what you are looking for, let's connect.

Address

457 Smitherman Road
Washington, WV
26181

Telephone

+13044828693

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